PHOENIX — Drivers who plan to use I-17 for this weekend (May 10-13) can expect heavy traffic in north Phoenix because a portion of the freeway will close.
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, southbound I-17 will close between SR-74 (Carefree Highway) and the Loop 303 in north Phoenix between 10 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Monday (May 13).
The primary detour ADOT recommends for this closure of southbound I-17 is shown in the photo below. Take westbound SR-74 to southbound Lake Pleasant Parkway to eastbound Loop 303 to access south I-17 beyond the closure.
ADOT will post additional information later this week about future closures on either north- or southbound I-17 in areas north of Happy Valley Road.
Crews assigned to the I-17 project will "remove a top layer of older, worn asphalt before advancing to work to smooth the remaining concrete surface through a process called diamond grinding," according to ADOT. "Diamond grinding has been used in recent years on a number of Phoenix-area freeways, including I-10, I-17, Loop 101 and Loop 202."
This weekend closure is the start of a major year-long improvement project on I-17 between Happy Valley Road and State Route 74. It's expected to take one year to finish. The project will require overnight and weekend lane restrictions, including full freeway closures, according to ADOT.
Work will include:
- Removing the existing asphalt pavement and repairing the existing concrete surface
- Diamond grinding the existing concrete to provide a smooth roadway surface
- Making bridge deck repairs
- Replacing pavement markings and other improvements
For more information on the project, click here.
As always, please stay alert and be prepared to slow down and merge safely when approaching and traveling through work zones.
Don’t forget to download the 12 News app and follow Stella Sun on Twitter for the latest traffic news across the Valley.
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